- 12 hours ago
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πΊ
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00:00:00My fiancΓ©'s mother said my astrological chart clashed with his.
00:00:05I would ruin his future.
00:00:07So for seven years, every wedding night, I was locked in a dark room with an animal.
00:00:13Dog.
00:00:15Rooster.
00:00:17Cow.
00:00:19Snake.
00:00:20Every year I screamed, say no!
00:00:24No!
00:00:25The next morning, when they saw me wrecked and shaking in torn clothes,
00:00:30they only shook their heads.
00:00:32Still not worthy of being true bride.
00:00:35In Sicily, every Christmas Eve, unmarried girls went to the chapel to draw tokens.
00:00:40A red token meant her fiancΓ©'s boat would come to take her to the wedding.
00:00:45White means wait next year.
00:00:47For seven years, I drew white every time.
00:00:51In the eighth year, I took a handful of red tokens and sneaked to my fiancΓ© Marco's house.
00:00:57I wanted to cheat.
00:00:59Then I heard him whispering to his brother in the courtyard.
00:01:03Tommy, switch Serafina's token to white tomorrow.
00:01:08Biana's still weak.
00:01:10I need one more year to take care of her.
00:01:12His brother hesitated.
00:01:13Aren't you afraid she'll get angry and get on another man's boat?
00:01:17Marco laughed softly.
00:01:18Everyone knows she's mine.
00:01:20She waited seven years for me.
00:01:22Even if she pulls a red token, who would dare let her on his boat?
00:01:28She's easy to fool.
00:01:31Once I take Bianca onto my boat, you just tell her Nomno collapsed again and she needs to go home.
00:01:36Next year, I'll marry her with the greatest wedding.
00:01:39Every Mafia family will know she is my wife.
00:01:42The red token slipped silently from my hand.
00:01:46Tokens scattered across the ground.
00:01:49Then, I did back home.
00:01:51I did not tell Marco that my Nomno only had three days left.
00:01:56His last wish was to see me married.
00:01:58If Marco refused to marry me this year, I had to board another man's boat.
00:02:03The next morning, girls gathered outside the chapel in gowns made for weeding.
00:02:08Only mine was the same gown from seven years ago.
00:02:11Faded.
00:02:13When I appeared, the girls around me stepped away.
00:02:15Serafina drew blank seven years in a row.
00:02:17Don't stand too close.
00:02:19Bad luck spreads.
00:02:20Papa stood on the dock, watching his men line the boats.
00:02:23I held my candle and walked.
00:02:25Papa warned me again in a low voice.
00:02:27Serafina, I remember what you promised your grandfather.
00:02:30I looked at the token box.
00:02:31Don't worry, Papa.
00:02:32This year, I must get on a boat.
00:02:35A sudden noise from the crowd cut us off.
00:02:39Marco arrived.
00:02:40He was my fiancΓ©, and everyone already treated him like the next Don.
00:02:45But his men surrounded Bianca like she was something precious.
00:02:50She was pale and fragile, dressed in brand new.
00:02:54I knew that dress.
00:02:57His mother, Mrs. Valenti, had sewn it herself.
00:03:00Marco had once hinted it was for me.
00:03:03I had imagined myself wearing it.
00:03:06If I had not heard the truth last night, I would have come today in plain clothes, just
00:03:11like Marco told me to.
00:03:12The Don's daughter breaking festival tradition in public.
00:03:16Papa would have been humiliated because of me.
00:03:19Again.
00:03:20The girls around us started whispering.
00:03:24Who gave Bianca the right to draw a token?
00:03:26Bianca drew every year, boarded Marco's boat every year, and never married him.
00:03:32She should have been disqualified by now.
00:03:35The moment Bianca coughed, Marco draped his coat over her shoulders.
00:03:39It's windy.
00:03:40Don't catch a cold.
00:03:44Bianca is just lucky.
00:03:46She draws a red token every time.
00:03:48And the rules never said getting on the boat means she has to marry.
00:03:51If you can't accept that, try your own luck.
00:03:53Don't blame anyone else when you draw a blank token.
00:03:55Every eye turned to me.
00:03:57Because the only girl unlucky enough to pull seven blanks was me, Marco's fiancΓ©e.
00:04:04For seven years, I watched another woman board his boat.
00:04:08In the past, I argued with Marco, used my place as the Don's daughter to demand Bianca be disqualified,
00:04:16and brought up every time he had favored her before.
00:04:19Last year was the worst.
00:04:21I grabbed Bianca and kicked her into the river.
00:04:28Marco sent her to the hospital, then brought his men to my house and kicked the door down while Papa
00:04:34was away.
00:04:35They tied me up and forced me into the freezing cold.
00:04:38Serafina, whatever Bianca suffers, you suffer twice.
00:04:41If you want to enter the Velati family, learn your place.
00:04:44In my house, Bianca comes before you.
00:04:47By the time Papa found me, I had already passed out in the water.
00:04:51That night, my fever hit 104.
00:04:54Marco chose to stay with startled Bianca and sent me only one message.
00:04:59If you're not dead, don't bother calling me.
00:05:02After that, my body could no longer handle the cold.
00:05:06But I still refused to give up.
00:05:09The moment my fever broke, I went after Marco again.
00:05:12I wanted an answer for those seven years.
00:05:16Now, I had my answer.
00:05:19I ignored the argument and walked straight to the token chest.
00:05:23Nobody wants to draw?
00:05:25Then I'll go first.
00:05:29Marco's face flickered with panic.
00:05:31His prepared excuse got stuck in his throat.
00:05:34My calmness caught him off guard.
00:05:37He couldn't blame me like before, then ask Papa to punish me and push me to the end of the
00:05:42line.
00:05:43Now, how could he rig the token chest in front of the whole people?
00:05:48What if I really drew red token?
00:05:51Marco walked over and took my hand.
00:05:56Serafina, Bianca isn't feeling well.
00:05:58She can't stand in the cold.
00:05:59Let her pull first.
00:06:01I just want to talk to you.
00:06:02I pulled frozen hand away and looked at the thick coat around Bianca's shoulders.
00:06:07I had stayed up all night making this as Marco's birthday gift last year.
00:06:12I had sewn the cuff buttons into orange blossoms for luck,
00:06:16pouring all my love for Marco into every stitch.
00:06:20Now, it was keeping Bianca warm, and the sight made my eyes ache.
00:06:26I'm cold, too.
00:06:28I want to draw first.
00:06:29Marco did not care my words.
00:06:31Took my cold hands and covered them with his own to warm them.
00:06:35It's this cold.
00:06:36Why didn't you dress warmer?
00:06:41Stop making a scene, Sera.
00:06:43I know you're still angry about Bianca.
00:06:46The doctor said she only needs one more year to recover.
00:06:49Next year.
00:06:51I promise I'll marry you next year, waiting for me.
00:06:55I looked at him.
00:06:58Marco, do you really think I can't live without you?
00:07:00He laughed softly and put a simple betrothal bracelet around my wrist.
00:07:09You waited seven years for me.
00:07:11No Mafia man would dare let you onto his boat.
00:07:16So he had known all along.
00:07:18And he had been using my love as a leash.
00:07:22Around us, young couples were exchanging handmade bracelets as weeding token.
00:07:26Past every year, I had made one for Marco.
00:07:29He never wore them.
00:07:31His wrist always carried the same plain silver bracelet.
00:07:35I thought I had not braided it well enough,
00:07:37so I even paid a craftsman at the shop to teach me.
00:07:40But in that shop, Marco was choosing a new one.
00:07:44Bianca tugged the silver bracelet on his wrist.
00:07:47I can't believe you still wear the one I made you when we were kids.
00:07:50Marco smiled without saying anything.
00:07:53Hid the bracelet under his sleeve.
00:07:55I understood.
00:07:56No matter what I made, I could never compare to Bianca.
00:08:00I hid behind the shop and watched them choose new matching bracelets.
00:08:04They looked exactly like the one on my wrist.
00:08:07Thinking of that, I took mine off and threw it back to him.
00:08:10Marco, don't give me cheap things you bought in bulk.
00:08:13There is no next year.
00:08:14Nonno wants to see me married.
00:08:16This year.
00:08:18If Bianca boards your boat again, we are done.
00:08:20He did not mind.
00:08:22He only gave me a knowing smile.
00:08:25So it's still about Bianca.
00:08:27I told you Bianca's like an older sister to me.
00:08:30She practically raised me.
00:08:32You've drew white tokens for seven years already.
00:08:34What's one more year?
00:08:37I'll explain to your grandfather.
00:08:39As he spoke, he made the call.
00:08:41The number on the screen was burned into my memory.
00:08:44It was Nonno's caregiver.
00:08:45I panicked and rushed forward to grab his phone.
00:08:47If you have something to say, say it to me.
00:08:49Don't bother, Nonno.
00:08:51Last week, I visited Nonno at the hospital.
00:08:53Tubes covered his body, but he was still worried about me.
00:08:56And I could not stop crying.
00:08:58I was the one he could not let go of.
00:09:01He gasped for breath, forcing out each word.
00:09:04Sarah married.
00:09:06Mama cried beside him.
00:09:07Your Nonno keeps saying Sarah has suffered for seven years without getting on a boat.
00:09:12He went to the Valati family to demand an answer for you.
00:09:17If you don't board one this year, don't come see him again.
00:09:20He can't take it.
00:09:21Back at the chapel, I knew what Marco was about to say.
00:09:24So I clamped my hand over his phone.
00:09:29Let Bianca draw first.
00:09:30I agree.
00:09:34Marco scoffed and hung up.
00:09:37Now you're using Nonno to cheat me?
00:09:39Cheat him?
00:09:40Maybe he was right.
00:09:42In early spring, I sat by an open window all night until I made myself sick enough for the hospital
00:09:48to stop Marco and Bianca to meet Vineyard Capos.
00:09:52In summer, when he took Bianca sailing past the private docks with his guards,
00:09:57I lied that someone was following me and made him act as my personal bodyguard.
00:10:02In autumn, I brought pastries to his door and lied that Papa had summoned him to the estate for family
00:10:08business.
00:10:09And there were countless little things like that.
00:10:12A cut on my hand.
00:10:14A twisted ankle.
00:10:15A stomach ache.
00:10:17For seven years, I used every foolish excuse just to keep him with me a little longer.
00:10:24I did not argue.
00:10:25I let go and stepped away from the token chest.
00:10:28Marco waved Bianca over.
00:10:30She came to me.
00:10:31Sarah, let me go first.
00:10:33Maybe I'll bring you some good luck?
00:10:35You're so naughty.
00:10:36If Serafina pulls another white, she'll blame you again.
00:10:38Her eyes swept over me, waiting for me to lose my temper.
00:10:41But I didn't.
00:10:42I only stood quietly to the side and waited for her to drew her token.
00:10:47She found that boring, so she reached into the token chest and asked Marco.
00:10:53What were you two saying?
00:10:55Serafina's grandfather is sick.
00:10:56I'll visit him with her after the boats leave.
00:11:00Oh, a red token.
00:11:01Bianca could not hide the smug look on her face.
00:11:04Sorry, Sarah.
00:11:06Marco's boat is mine again this year.
00:11:07Before I could answer, Marco stepped in front of her to protect her.
00:11:10These are the San Giovanni's rules.
00:11:12Your tantrum won't change them.
00:11:14Bianca just has better token luck.
00:11:17Sarah, stop being petty.
00:11:21Let's see who dares touch my niece.
00:11:23I don't care if she's the Don's daughter.
00:11:25Mrs. Valenti hurried over and pulled Bianca into her arm.
00:11:28Don't be afraid, Bianca.
00:11:29If I say you can get on the dragon boat, then no one can stop you.
00:11:34I'd like to see who dares lay a hand on you.
00:11:37Watching them protect Bianca like that, my heart twisted once.
00:11:41For seven years, I had tried to please them.
00:11:45I remembered every birthday.
00:11:47I bought every gift.
00:11:49Whenever I visited, I helped in the kitchen, cleaned their house, and tried to make Mrs. Valenti like me.
00:11:56I even memorized Bianca's allergies and favorite foods.
00:12:01And what did I get in return?
00:12:03They always thought I was just throwing a tantrum.
00:12:06But I was only fighting for the right a fiancΓ© should have had.
00:12:10Papa stood behind me and sighed.
00:12:15This is the family you've been desperate to marry into.
00:12:20We only wanted you to be happy with this.
00:12:24Papa, I'm drawing now.
00:12:26This time, I'll get red token.
00:12:32My answer was nothing like the past years, and it surprised him.
00:12:35Good, good.
00:12:37I'll wait for you.
00:12:38Even if it's not a red token, it's fine.
00:12:40I looked up at Marco and his mother.
00:12:44You're right.
00:12:45We follow the rules.
00:12:47I'm drawing token now.
00:12:49Please move.
00:12:51As I walked past them, Mrs. Valenti froze, then grabbed my sleeve.
00:12:54Serafina, Marco's boat already has Bianca on it.
00:12:57Why draw it all?
00:12:59If you board another man's boat, don't ever think of entering the Valati house again.
00:13:06The Valentis don't take a bride another man has touched.
00:13:10Ma, don't say that.
00:13:11Marco panicked, caught between his mother and the fiancΓ©.
00:13:14He had never thought he married other.
00:13:17He tried to reach out to block my way, but the cold look in my eyes made him pull back.
00:13:22I stepped around the three of them.
00:13:23Nonno can't wait.
00:13:25And neither can I.
00:13:27Marco, I waited seven years for you.
00:13:33This year, I'm done waiting.
00:13:38Marco panicked and blocked the token box.
00:13:40Why?
00:13:42Why?
00:13:42Why can't you just back down this once?
00:13:47Look around, Serafina.
00:13:48Which one of them would dare take you?
00:13:50Tell me.
00:13:52Who here would dare let Serafina Farani onto his boat?
00:13:55His voice went cold.
00:13:56Every young man looked away.
00:13:59Everyone on this coast knew I had chased Marco for seven years.
00:14:03Build a family with a woman like that, and her heart will never truly be with you.
00:14:08But I did not care.
00:14:09I never planned to marry any of them.
00:14:12Marco turned to me with pleading eyes.
00:14:14Bianca had already used the moment to board his boat and settle safely inside.
00:14:19Sera, just wait one more year.
00:14:22Marco only wants to protect me from being married off.
00:14:25We're all family anyway.
00:14:27When you marry him, you'll have to call me sister.
00:14:30Don't pull red token and end up with no boat to board.
00:14:33That would be embarrassing.
00:14:34After saying that, she covered her mouth and laughed.
00:14:37The families who hated Papa laughed too.
00:14:40I looked at Papa's red face, and guilt filled my chest.
00:14:45All these years chasing Marco had not only humiliated me, it had humiliated my family too.
00:14:51I had backed down too many times.
00:14:53I did not want to stay soft forever.
00:14:56I pushed Marco away and reached into the token chest.
00:15:00Before I could grab one, Marco pressed down on my hand.
00:15:03Serafina, think clearly.
00:15:04Bianca's already on my boat.
00:15:06Even if you pull red token, I won't let you board.
00:15:10I nodded.
00:15:11Of course I had thought it through.
00:15:13Today, I was getting on that dragon boat.
00:15:16No matter what.
00:15:19When force did not work, Marco lowered voice and pleaded again.
00:15:23Serafina, if you do this, I won't go see Nomno with you.
00:15:26Can you really let him down?
00:15:27I laughed softly.
00:15:29Marco, why do you think Nomno backed you?
00:15:31It was because I loved you.
00:15:32His face froze.
00:15:33I pulled my wrist free.
00:15:35I don't love you anymore.
00:15:37So Nomno won't like you either.
00:15:40Move.
00:15:41I'm drawing token.
00:15:42Papa's men stepped forward and pulled Marco back.
00:15:45He looked at me unwillingly.
00:15:47Serafina, you've been mine for seven years.
00:15:49You belong to the Valiti family.
00:15:52Seven years of white tokens.
00:15:54This year will be the same.
00:15:56I ignored him and searched the chest.
00:15:59White tokens were smooth.
00:16:00Red ones were rough.
00:16:02So the token draw was never serious.
00:16:04It was just a game to make everyone laugh.
00:16:06I had really believed my luck was that bad.
00:16:09Seven years.
00:16:10Seven blank tokens.
00:16:12They had made my life into a joke.
00:16:14Then my fingers found a rough edge I had never touched before.
00:16:18I pulled the token out.
00:16:21The whole crowd erupted.
00:16:25Red!
00:16:26Serafina drew red token!
00:16:29No!
00:16:30That's impossible!
00:16:31Marco tore free and kicked over the token chest.
00:16:34Red and white tokens flew into the air.
00:16:36He turned to his younger brother in panic.
00:16:39That's impossible.
00:16:40There weren't supposed to be any red tokens.
00:16:42His brother shrank behind the crowd, too scared to look at him.
00:16:45There had been too many eyes on the platform.
00:16:47He had never gotten the chance to tamper with it.
00:16:51Papa understood everything at once.
00:16:53Now he knew why I had drawn white tokens for seven years.
00:16:57His face darkened.
00:16:58She drew a red token.
00:16:59By the rules of San Giovanni.
00:17:02He looked at me.
00:17:04Serafina, get on the boat.
00:17:06Marco suddenly looked hopeful again.
00:17:08The water in front of me was empty,
00:17:10while the other boats had already pulled aside.
00:17:12So he stepped in front of his own boat.
00:17:15Sera, give in.
00:17:17And I'll make Bianca get off.
00:17:18I lowered my eyes to the ripples on the river and ignored him.
00:17:21A new boat was already gliding slowly toward me.
00:17:24Panic flashed across his face.
00:17:26He jumped onto his boat and pulled at Bianca.
00:17:29Bianca, get off first.
00:17:31I'm taking Sera.
00:17:32Too late.
00:17:33While they were still pulling at each other and arguing,
00:17:36a new boat came to a stop.
00:17:38A large, clean-boned hand reached out to me
00:17:41and lifted me steadily onto the boat.
00:17:45A brand new coat fell over my shoulders.
00:17:48Warmth wrapped around me at once.
00:17:51A deep voice came from above.
00:17:52Serafina, I'm sorry.
00:17:54I'm not great with boats.
00:17:56I kept you waiting.
00:17:58It's cold.
00:18:00Wear this first.
00:18:01I looked up.
00:18:02It was Nico.
00:18:03My childhood sweet friend from another mafia family.
00:18:07The boy who once walked me home with guards behind us
00:18:10before he was sent to Boston.
00:18:12I've been gone too long.
00:18:14I almost forgot the customs.
00:18:16My mother said girls are supposed to wear red today.
00:18:19Don't worry.
00:18:20It's brand new.
00:18:21My mother and grandmother made it themselves.
00:18:23After saying that, Nico sat at the bow and started rowing.
00:18:27Before I could thank him,
00:18:28the boat lurched forward and threw me back into my seat.
00:18:32Sit tight.
00:18:33We're leaving.
00:18:33I wrapped the red coat tight as the boat cut through the water.
00:18:37It came like a gust of wind and left just as fast.
00:18:40By the time Marco looked up, I was already gone.
00:18:44He scrambled onto his own boat and rowed after us.
00:18:47Left on the shore, Bianca grabbed Mrs. Valenti's arm,
00:18:50furious and red-eyed.
00:18:52Auntie, look what Marco did!
00:18:54I drew the token.
00:18:56I was supposed to be on that boat.
00:18:58Mrs. Valenti was shaken too.
00:19:00She turned to Papa at once.
00:19:02Don Ferrara, the children are engaged.
00:19:04We'll start preparing the wedding now.
00:19:07She needed an answer.
00:19:08Now.
00:19:10The girl who had chased her son for seven years
00:19:12and could make her son the next Don
00:19:14had actually boarded another man's boat.
00:19:17She had only wanted to teach me a lesson,
00:19:20never thinking I would really leave.
00:19:22Now she remembered Marco's face,
00:19:24empty like his soul had been pulled out.
00:19:27For the first time, she regretted listening to Bianca.
00:19:30I was the daughter-in-law she had chosen all along.
00:19:33Papa laughed coldly.
00:19:35Now you want a wedding?
00:19:38You said rules are rules.
00:19:40My daughter drew an engraved token
00:19:42and boarded her groom's boat.
00:19:45So follow the rules.
00:19:46Mrs. Valenti could not answer.
00:19:48Papa stepped closer.
00:19:50You knew she was Marco's fiance.
00:19:54For seven years, you prepared no wedding.
00:19:57Watched her pull blanks
00:19:58and let your son take Bianca onto his boat.
00:20:02Today, you even tried to switch her token again.
00:20:07Papa grabbed Tommy by the arm
00:20:09and pulled blank tokens from his pockets.
00:20:14The white token scattered across the platform
00:20:16like dirty snow.
00:20:18The whole crowd went silent.
00:20:20Papa's voice turned hard.
00:20:22You wanted Bianca safe
00:20:23and my daughter waiting.
00:20:24But Serafina is not something
00:20:26your family can draw up and put down.
00:20:30She is my daughter.
00:20:32As of today, the engagement is over.
00:20:35Papa left them there
00:20:36and walked to the water's edge.
00:20:38He was waiting for me
00:20:39to finish the festival route
00:20:40and come home.
00:20:45Mrs. Valenti shook so hard
00:20:47she could barely stand.
00:20:48Bianca tried to hold her.
00:20:50Mrs. Valenti shoved her away.
00:20:52Go!
00:20:56When Marco comes back,
00:20:58he'll blame you.
00:20:59Bianca froze.
00:21:00Leave while you still can.
00:21:02Mrs. Valenti closed her eyes.
00:21:04She knew her son.
00:21:05If Marco could not bring me back,
00:21:07there would be hell to pay.
00:21:08Our town was built along the sea.
00:21:10The wedding route passed
00:21:11nine bends of coastline
00:21:13and nine stone bridges.
00:21:15Married women waited on the bridges,
00:21:17ready to throw flower garlands
00:21:19onto the passing boats.
00:21:20The first bridge was already ahead.
00:21:22Nico turned back to me.
00:21:24My mother and grandmother are up there.
00:21:25Don't be nervous.
00:21:27They've wanted you and my family
00:21:28since we were children.
00:21:30Even while I was away,
00:21:31they never let go of that plan.
00:21:33When they heard you agreed to board my boat,
00:21:35they were happier than I was.
00:21:37The knot in my chest finally loosened.
00:21:39Last night when I called Nico Rossetti,
00:21:42I was desperate.
00:21:43Every man in town already knew
00:21:45Marco had claimed me for seven years.
00:21:48No one would dare take me.
00:21:50Then I saw Nico's update.
00:21:51He was back from Boston
00:21:53after putting his men
00:21:54and his power in place there.
00:21:56I called him.
00:21:57He said yes before I could even finish.
00:21:59He even asked me
00:22:01what he needed to prepare for the festival.
00:22:03Serafina, I'm happy you chose me for this.
00:22:07We grew up inside the close family circle.
00:22:09Why did you stop talking to me?
00:22:12I could not answer.
00:22:13Back then,
00:22:14I had feelings I did not know how to name.
00:22:17He was the best student in school.
00:22:19I was afraid that if I said the wrong thing,
00:22:21I would lose even his friendship.
00:22:23By the time I understood what I felt,
00:22:25he had gone to Boston.
00:22:26He was the Rossetti family's most promising heir.
00:22:29I knew his family had bigger plans for him,
00:22:31so I buried what I felt.
00:22:33By the time I knew I should say it,
00:22:35he went to Boston to secure their power there,
00:22:37and I stayed in this town.
00:22:38Today, Nico wore a black festival suit.
00:22:41The dark fabric stretched over his broad shoulders
00:22:44as he rowed through the water.
00:22:45At the first bridge,
00:22:47a garland of red flowers fell into our boat.
00:22:49It smelled like herbs,
00:22:51sea salt, and sunlight.
00:22:52I looked up.
00:22:53I could not see the women clearly through the light,
00:22:55but their laughter was warm.
00:22:57For the first time that morning,
00:22:59I smiled.
00:23:01Behind us,
00:23:02Marco was rowing like a madman.
00:23:04His eyes stayed fixed on the boat
00:23:06that had taken me away.
00:23:07He had not seen the man clearly,
00:23:09but the figure felt familiar.
00:23:11The sea route he knew by heart suddenly felt strange.
00:23:14All those years,
00:23:15I had watched him take Bianca onto his boat.
00:23:17Now he finally knew what it felt like.
00:23:19Helpless.
00:23:20Humiliated.
00:23:21Left behind.
00:23:22He kept asking himself
00:23:23why I had not boarded his boat.
00:23:26But the answer was obvious.
00:23:27His boat already had Bianca.
00:23:29He had never planned to let me on.
00:23:31Marco had always thought I would never leave.
00:23:33For seven years,
00:23:34he took another woman onto his boat
00:23:36and still expected me to run after him.
00:23:38The younger men once asked him how he did it.
00:23:40How do you keep Serafina and Bianca
00:23:42from tearing each other apart?
00:23:43Marco always laughed.
00:23:45When I say jump,
00:23:46Serafina asks how high.
00:23:49Besides,
00:23:49Bianca's like family.
00:23:50Why would Serafina fight her?
00:23:52Even last year,
00:23:53when I pushed Bianca into the harbor,
00:23:55Marco had felt more pride than anger.
00:23:57To him,
00:23:58it proved I loved him.
00:23:59Loved him enough to fight.
00:24:01Loved him enough to lose control.
00:24:03His mother said a bride had to be trained
00:24:05before entering the Valenti family.
00:24:07So Marco listened.
00:24:08He punished me.
00:24:09When I lay there burning with fever,
00:24:11he told himself he would marry me next year.
00:24:13Then Bianca said a boss from another family
00:24:15wanted to claim her by force next San Giovanni.
00:24:18Marco hesitated again.
00:24:20One more year.
00:24:20I had waited seven.
00:24:23What was one more?
00:24:24He never thought I would run out of years to give.
00:24:26He never thought another boat would come for me.
00:24:28He had warned every man on this coast
00:24:30not to take me.
00:24:32So where did that boat come from?
00:24:34Marco gripped the oars harder.
00:24:35When I catch her,
00:24:35I'll make her understand.
00:24:38You don't board a stranger's boat
00:24:40just to make me jealous.
00:24:43The ninth bend of the coast
00:24:45passed my family's house.
00:24:47Mama stood by the water,
00:24:48searching every boat.
00:24:49Papa must have sent word
00:24:50that I had finally boarded one.
00:24:52When the boat came into view,
00:24:54she saw me at once.
00:24:56Serafina!
00:24:57Her eyes filled with tears.
00:24:59This was the first time
00:25:00she had ever seen me come home on a boat.
00:25:02Nico steered toward the shore.
00:25:04Careful.
00:25:05He helped me step off the boat.
00:25:08Mama stared at him,
00:25:09then smiled.
00:25:11Nico,
00:25:12you're back.
00:25:13I still remember you waiting
00:25:15outside the Ferrari estate every morning
00:25:17just to walk Serafina home
00:25:18with your guards behind you.
00:25:20Your mother said you already secured Boston.
00:25:22Where are you going next?
00:25:25Nico did not answer right away.
00:25:27He lifted the edge of my coat
00:25:28so it would not drag in the sand.
00:25:30Then he looked at me.
00:25:32Nowhere.
00:25:32I'm 30 now.
00:25:34It's time to settle down.
00:25:35I froze.
00:25:36He continued before I could speak.
00:25:38By town tradition,
00:25:39Serafina boarded my boat.
00:25:40That means she agreed to marry me, right?
00:25:45My family has everything ready.
00:25:46I only need her answer.
00:25:48I stared at him.
00:25:49That was not what he said last night.
00:25:53Last night,
00:25:54he said he was helping
00:25:54an old childhood friend
00:25:56board the boat,
00:25:57finish the route,
00:25:59then visit Nonno with me.
00:26:01How did it become a real marriage?
00:26:03Before I could ask,
00:26:05Marco's voice came from the water.
00:26:06Serafina!
00:26:07His boat had caught up.
00:26:08Nico saw Marco coming
00:26:10and tightened his grip on my hand.
00:26:11You boarded my boat.
00:26:14Are you going to deny it now?
00:26:18That's not...
00:26:19Then tell me what he has
00:26:20that I don't.
00:26:21His voice stayed low,
00:26:23but his eyes were fixed on mine.
00:26:26Or is Marco the only man
00:26:28you'll ever want?
00:26:30My mind was a mess,
00:26:31but one thing was clear.
00:26:33I would never marry Marco.
00:26:35Marco was almost at the shore.
00:26:37I squeezed Nico's hand back.
00:26:40Don't regret this.
00:26:41Nico answered at once.
00:26:42I won't.
00:26:44Mama's face lit up.
00:26:45Good.
00:26:46Good, good.
00:26:48Serafina's dowry
00:26:49has been ready for years.
00:26:52Today is perfect.
00:26:54Then she looked coldly at Marco,
00:26:56who had just climbed onto the shore.
00:26:58Marco,
00:26:59remember to come
00:27:00to the wedding dinner tonight.
00:27:02Serafina waited seven years.
00:27:04Today,
00:27:04she finally boarded a boat.
00:27:06Marco stopped dead.
00:27:07His eyes locked on my hand
00:27:09in Nico's.
00:27:10Then he roared.
00:27:11I don't agree!
00:27:13Serafina is my fiancΓ©.
00:27:15Who the hell are you?
00:27:16Let go of her!
00:27:18For the first time,
00:27:20I looked at his bloodshot eyes
00:27:21and felt nothing.
00:27:22He reached for me.
00:27:24Nico stepped in front of him.
00:27:25I looked past Nico
00:27:27and saw Marco's empty boat.
00:27:29Why didn't you bring Bianca this time?
00:27:31Marco's voice shook.
00:27:33Because you were leaving me.
00:27:35I was scared
00:27:35you wouldn't want me anymore.
00:27:37I almost laughed.
00:27:39So you only cared
00:27:40when you thought I would leave?
00:27:42I turned away
00:27:42and took Nico's hand.
00:27:44Serafina, don't go!
00:27:47I'll go see Nonno with you.
00:27:48I have my ID.
00:27:49We can get married right now!
00:27:53The moment he mentioned Nonno,
00:27:55anger rushed up my throat.
00:27:58I turned back.
00:28:00Marco, I gave you too many chances.
00:28:03Last week,
00:28:04I begged you to visit Nonno.
00:28:05You said you were busy.
00:28:07Your busy was taking
00:28:08Biana to a jewelry shop
00:28:09and buying matching bracelets.
00:28:11Three matching bracelets.
00:28:12One for her.
00:28:14One for you.
00:28:16One for me.
00:28:17I stared at him.
00:28:18What was I supposed to be?
00:28:19A bonus gift?
00:28:21Marco opened his mouth.
00:28:22No sound came out.
00:28:24I did not wait for an answer.
00:28:26I took Nico's hand
00:28:27and walked away.
00:28:30Nico opened the car door for me.
00:28:32Are you sad?
00:28:33I shook my head.
00:28:34I had cried enough last night.
00:28:36I was not wasting more tears on Marco.
00:28:39Let's go to the hospital.
00:28:41Nonno had waited too long
00:28:42and I was the reason
00:28:44he could not leave in peace.
00:28:46Through the glass,
00:28:47Nonno lay in bed,
00:28:48weak and covered in tubes.
00:28:50When he saw Nico and me
00:28:52walk in together,
00:28:53his eyes lit up.
00:28:54Nico helped me sit by the bed,
00:28:56then held Nonno's hand.
00:28:57Nonno moved his lips.
00:28:59I understood him.
00:29:00He was saying Nico was good.
00:29:02Good?
00:29:03Whoever I chose,
00:29:04he would choose too.
00:29:06I held back my tears
00:29:07and told him everything
00:29:08that had happened today.
00:29:10Nico leaned close to his ear.
00:29:11Nonno, I promise.
00:29:12I'll take good care of Seraphina.
00:29:14Nonno smiled.
00:29:15A real smile.
00:29:17Papa and Mama soon arrived.
00:29:19Mama wiped her eyes
00:29:20and said softly,
00:29:22Seraphila is having
00:29:23her wedding dinner tonight.
00:29:25Married on the eve
00:29:26of San Giovanni.
00:29:27She will be blessed.
00:29:29After seeing Nonno,
00:29:30Papa and Mama
00:29:31rushed home
00:29:32to prepare the feast.
00:29:34Nico took me into town.
00:29:36When the rings were brought out,
00:29:38I froze.
00:29:39They were my design.
00:29:40A mountain and a wave
00:29:42leaning into each other.
00:29:44How do you have this?
00:29:46Nico looked at me.
00:29:48I saw your sketches
00:29:49before I left for Boston.
00:29:50I thought if you ever got married,
00:29:52you would want to wear
00:29:53your own design.
00:29:54So I had them made
00:29:55before I came back.
00:29:56He slid the ring
00:29:57onto my finger.
00:29:58I put the other one on him.
00:30:00Only then did it feel real.
00:30:02I was getting married.
00:30:06When we got home,
00:30:07the courtyard was already full
00:30:08of red and white balloons.
00:30:10A red carpet stretched
00:30:11from my front door
00:30:12to Nico's.
00:30:13Our mothers stood
00:30:14at the entrance,
00:30:15directing the neighborhood women.
00:30:16Water boiled,
00:30:17meat roasted.
00:30:19Relatives carried red gift boxes
00:30:21down the road.
00:30:22The whole street
00:30:23had turned into
00:30:24a wedding feast.
00:30:25Nico traced a circle
00:30:26on my palm.
00:30:27You wasted years
00:30:28on the wrong man.
00:30:30But somehow,
00:30:31you still came back to me.
00:30:31His eyes stayed on mine.
00:30:32What I didn't say
00:30:33before Boston,
00:30:33I can finally say now.
00:30:35Serafina Ferrari,
00:30:36I love you.
00:30:37Spend your life with me.
00:30:38I smiled.
00:30:39Me too.
00:30:42Then a sharp cry
00:30:43cut through the courtyard.
00:30:45Bianca!
00:30:46Her red dress was gone.
00:30:47Her hair was messy,
00:30:49her eyes were wild,
00:30:50and a large suitcase
00:30:52dragged behind her.
00:30:53The moment she saw me,
00:30:54she dropped to her knees.
00:30:58Serafina,
00:30:59please let me live.
00:31:00Go back and marry Marco.
00:31:02The Valentis
00:31:03are throwing me out.
00:31:05I have nowhere to go.
00:31:06Please have some pity.
00:31:08People stopped to watch.
00:31:10Whispers spread
00:31:11through the street.
00:31:12A flash of satisfaction
00:31:13crossed Bianca's face,
00:31:15and she cried even louder.
00:31:16My parents are dead.
00:31:18I have no family.
00:31:20You have a dawn
00:31:21for a father
00:31:21and a man who loves you.
00:31:22I have nothing.
00:31:24I'll kneel if I have to.
00:31:25Just go back
00:31:26and talk to Marco.
00:31:27There is nothing between us.
00:31:29He was only helping me.
00:31:30The neighborhood women
00:31:31could not take it anymore.
00:31:33Wasn't she the one
00:31:34who ran off
00:31:34with a rich man
00:31:35and got her parents
00:31:36killed in that crash?
00:31:38Now she's ruining
00:31:39the Validi family too.
00:31:41Last year,
00:31:41she was all over
00:31:42Big Tony from the next town.
00:31:44Why didn't she board
00:31:45his boat?
00:31:46Serafina, ignore her.
00:31:48Go inside
00:31:48and put on
00:31:48your wedding dress.
00:31:51The Valentis arrived,
00:31:52dragging Bianca up
00:31:54while apologizing
00:31:55again and again.
00:31:57Marco came behind them,
00:31:59pale and silent.
00:32:00The gossip
00:32:01had cut into him.
00:32:02Bianca kept begging.
00:32:04Marco finally snapped.
00:32:05Bianca!
00:32:06Bianca!
00:32:06Bianca!
00:32:06Shut up!
00:32:07Say one more word
00:32:08and I'll throw you
00:32:09into the harbor!
00:32:10Marco's eyes landed
00:32:11on the rings
00:32:12on my hand
00:32:12and Nico's.
00:32:13His eyes turned red,
00:32:15but he said nothing.
00:32:16He turned and followed
00:32:17his family away.
00:32:19I did not look at him again.
00:32:22I took Nico's hand
00:32:25and went inside.
00:32:30Rows of black luxury cars
00:32:32lined the square outside.
00:32:33The heads of every major family
00:32:35had come in person,
00:32:37witnessing the union
00:32:38between the Ferraro
00:32:39and Rossetti bloodlines.
00:32:41No one dared speak
00:32:42above a whisper.
00:32:43This marriage
00:32:44was more than a wedding.
00:32:45It was the beginning
00:32:46of a new era.
00:32:48Nico turned toward me,
00:32:49his dark eyes filled
00:32:50with a warmth
00:32:51I had never seen before.
00:32:53The priest smiled.
00:32:54You may kiss your bride.
00:32:55Nico cupped my face gently.
00:32:57I stood on my toes
00:32:58and closed the distance myself.
00:33:01Applause thundered
00:33:02through the church.
00:33:03Flower petals drifted
00:33:04from the balcony,
00:33:05covering us in shades
00:33:06of scarlet and ivory.
00:33:08For the first time
00:33:09in seven years,
00:33:10I smiled without forcing it.
00:33:12Outside the crowd,
00:33:14Marco stood frozen.
00:33:15His eyes never left us.
00:33:17His gaze lingered
00:33:18on the wedding ring
00:33:19resting on my finger.
00:33:21Then, on the way
00:33:22Nico held me
00:33:23as though I were
00:33:23the most precious person
00:33:25in the world.
00:33:25His fingers curled
00:33:26so tightly
00:33:27that his knuckles
00:33:28turned white.
00:33:29Without another glance,
00:33:30Marco turned
00:33:31and strode out
00:33:32of the church.
00:33:33He pulled out his phone.
00:33:37His voice was hoarse.
00:33:39I accept every condition
00:33:40you offered.
00:33:42But in return,
00:33:45you'll help me
00:33:45bring my woman back.
00:33:49The wedding celebrations
00:33:50continued until the stars
00:33:51began to twinkle in Sicily.
00:33:53He only led me upstairs
00:33:55after the last guest
00:33:56had left.
00:33:57The bedroom door
00:33:58closed softly behind us.
00:33:59Warm amber light
00:34:01shone on the stone walls.
00:34:02We were silent for a moment.
00:34:04Nico scratched the back
00:34:05of his neck,
00:34:06looking somewhat nervous.
00:34:11I, um...
00:34:13I couldn't help but
00:34:14chuckle softly.
00:34:15This confident mafia heir,
00:34:17who had faced
00:34:18countless family heads
00:34:19without batting an eye,
00:34:21now dared not look me
00:34:22in the eye.
00:34:22He cleared his throat.
00:34:25Serafina,
00:34:27if today has been
00:34:28too tiring for you,
00:34:29we don't need to rush.
00:34:31I can sleep in the next room.
00:34:32If you...
00:34:34Before he finished speaking,
00:34:36I approached him.
00:34:37Then I tiptoed
00:34:38and kissed him.
00:34:40His words vanished
00:34:42between our lips.
00:34:43We walked towards the bathroom,
00:34:44kissing passionately.
00:34:46Nico's robe fell away
00:34:47under my fingers.
00:34:48His strong upper body
00:34:50was exposed to the air,
00:34:51and the sudden change
00:34:52startled him slightly.
00:34:54Then he also took off
00:34:55my clothes
00:34:56and picked me up.
00:34:57The sudden change
00:34:58made me instinctively
00:34:59wrap my legs
00:35:00around his strong waist.
00:35:01A rose petal bath
00:35:02was already prepared
00:35:03in the tub.
00:35:04In the tub,
00:35:05his kisses traveled
00:35:06softly from my earlobe
00:35:07down my neck,
00:35:08chest,
00:35:08and down to my lower abdomen.
00:35:10As I explored
00:35:11his warm tongue,
00:35:12I nervously clamped
00:35:13my legs together.
00:35:15What's wrong, my princess?
00:35:16Nico's eyes were gentle.
00:35:17I...
00:35:18I'm still a virgin.
00:35:19He smiled slightly,
00:35:21kissed my lips again,
00:35:22and said softly,
00:35:23Me too.
00:35:24Then he gently lifted me
00:35:25and carried me to the bed.
00:35:29His gentle kiss
00:35:30made me completely
00:35:31surrender myself to him.
00:35:32The morning sun spilled
00:35:33through the tall windows
00:35:34of the Rosetti estate.
00:35:35I stood on the balcony
00:35:36overlooking the sea
00:35:37when steady footsteps
00:35:38sounded behind me.
00:35:40Serafina.
00:35:41Papa had arrived.
00:35:42His eyes remained
00:35:43on the coastline
00:35:44stretching toward the harbor.
00:35:45You've grown.
00:35:46His voice was calm.
00:35:48So it's time.
00:35:49The Ferrari family
00:35:50needs its next dawn,
00:35:52and I want that person
00:35:53to be you.
00:35:53I lowered my gaze.
00:35:55Papa.
00:35:55He shook his head.
00:35:56You are my daughter.
00:35:57You deserved it.
00:35:59But it won't be easy.
00:36:00His expression
00:36:01gradually hardened.
00:36:03For seven years,
00:36:04Marco was your fiancΓ©.
00:36:06Every capo,
00:36:07every soldier,
00:36:08every allied family
00:36:09has already begun
00:36:10treating him
00:36:10as the Faroni family's
00:36:11future Don.
00:36:12They followed him
00:36:13and trusted him.
00:36:14Papa's eyes met mine.
00:36:16If you take this seat,
00:36:18you'll be taking it from him.
00:36:20And Marco won't
00:36:21surrender it quietly.
00:36:24I clenched my fingers.
00:36:26I know.
00:36:27No one understood
00:36:28that better than I did.
00:36:29It had been my blind love.
00:36:30My willingness
00:36:31to place Marco
00:36:32above myself.
00:36:33I was the one
00:36:34who had given him
00:36:34influence inside
00:36:35my family's territory.
00:36:37Made everyone believe
00:36:38he already belonged there.
00:36:39Now,
00:36:40I would have to
00:36:41take it back.
00:36:42I lifted my head.
00:36:43I created this.
00:36:45So I'll end it.
00:36:47After Papa leave,
00:36:48Nico put a coat
00:36:49cover my shoulder.
00:36:50You won't have
00:36:50to do it alone.
00:36:50I will always
00:36:52stay with you.
00:36:53He handed the folder
00:36:53to me.
00:36:54I opened it.
00:36:55Several photographs
00:36:56slid onto the table.
00:36:57Marco chatted
00:36:58with Tom Moretti,
00:36:59the Ferraro's
00:37:00oldest enemy.
00:37:01They've already
00:37:01started negotiating.
00:37:03I looked at the photos
00:37:04in silence.
00:37:05Nico quietly reached
00:37:06for my hand.
00:37:07Don't worry, dear,
00:37:08if he's choosing war.
00:37:09Then we'll be ready
00:37:10before he is.
00:37:11I tightened my grip
00:37:12on his hand.
00:37:13This time,
00:37:14I wasn't fighting
00:37:15for love.
00:37:15I was fighting
00:37:16for my family.
00:37:19My phone vibrated
00:37:20just after noon.
00:37:21An unknown number.
00:37:22Only one sentence
00:37:23appeared on the screen.
00:37:24Come to the old cannery
00:37:26by the harbor.
00:37:26I have something
00:37:27you need to see.
00:37:28At the bottom
00:37:28of the message
00:37:29was a single name,
00:37:30Bianca.
00:37:31I stared at the screen
00:37:32for several seconds
00:37:33before calling the number.
00:37:36She answered
00:37:37almost immediately.
00:37:39I knew you'd call.
00:37:40Her voice was hoarse,
00:37:41nothing like the confident
00:37:42woman from the past.
00:37:44What do you want?
00:37:44A bitter laugh
00:37:45came through
00:37:46the receiver.
00:37:47I want to leave Sicily.
00:37:49I want a passport.
00:37:52A new identity.
00:37:53And enough money
00:37:54to survive somewhere
00:37:55no one knows my name.
00:37:56She paused.
00:37:57I can't stay here anymore.
00:37:59I looked out
00:37:59toward the sea.
00:38:00You came after me
00:38:01for seven years.
00:38:03You tried to take
00:38:03everything from me.
00:38:05And now you expect
00:38:06me to help you?
00:38:07I don't help people
00:38:07who tried to destroy
00:38:08my life.
00:38:09Bianca didn't argue.
00:38:10Instead,
00:38:11she lowered her voice.
00:38:12What if I can
00:38:13help you first?
00:38:14Silence stretched
00:38:15between us.
00:38:15I know Marco's
00:38:16next move.
00:38:17I know which Ferrari
00:38:19Capos have already
00:38:19pledged themselves to him.
00:38:21My expression changed.
00:38:22She continued.
00:38:23They met before sunrise.
00:38:25They're waiting
00:38:26for the right moment.
00:38:27You can refuse.
00:38:28But once Marco
00:38:28makes his move...
00:38:29You won't get
00:38:30another chance.
00:38:31The call ended.
00:38:31I stood there
00:38:32without moving.
00:38:33A few moments later,
00:38:34Nico walked into the room.
00:38:35I quietly slipped
00:38:36the phone into my pocket.
00:38:37I need to go out.
00:38:40An hour later,
00:38:41my convoy stopped
00:38:42outside an abandoned
00:38:43factory near the docks.
00:38:44The rusted steel gates
00:38:46hung crookedly
00:38:47from broken hinges.
00:38:48The air smelled
00:38:49of salt,
00:38:50oil,
00:38:50and old machinery.
00:38:51My guards spread
00:38:52out immediately.
00:38:53Stay alert.
00:38:55I stepped inside.
00:38:57Bianca was already there.
00:38:58She looked nothing
00:38:59like the woman
00:39:00who had once stood
00:39:01proudly beside Marco.
00:39:02Her expensive dresses
00:39:03were gone.
00:39:04Her hair hung
00:39:05in tangled strands.
00:39:06Her face was pale.
00:39:08Her lips nearly colorless.
00:39:10Dark circles framed
00:39:11her hollow eyes.
00:39:12She looked as though
00:39:13she hadn't slept in days.
00:39:14When she saw me,
00:39:16she let out a cold laugh.
00:39:17You finally came.
00:39:19Her eyes were filled
00:39:21with resentment.
00:39:23You ruined my life!
00:39:25The Valentis threw me away.
00:39:27No family.
00:39:29No home.
00:39:33No future.
00:39:34I looked at her
00:39:35without changing
00:39:35my expression.
00:39:36I didn't come here
00:39:37to hear you complain.
00:39:39If you have something
00:39:40to say, say it.
00:39:41She continued glaring at me.
00:39:43I slowly raised my pistol,
00:39:45then fired a single shot
00:39:46into the sky.
00:39:47The deafening crack
00:39:48echoed through
00:39:49the empty factory.
00:39:50Bianca screamed
00:39:51and stumbled backward
00:39:52before collapsing
00:39:53onto the dusty floor.
00:39:54For a heartbeat,
00:39:56everything fell silent.
00:39:57Then,
00:39:58she started laughing.
00:40:00The laughter echoed
00:40:01through the abandoned building,
00:40:02growing louder and louder.
00:40:06You still don't understand.
00:40:08She wiped tears
00:40:09from the corners of her eyes.
00:40:10You think Marco
00:40:12ever loved you?
00:40:14He didn't.
00:40:15He never loved you.
00:40:17The moment the words
00:40:18left her mouth,
00:40:19footsteps erupted
00:40:20from every direction.
00:40:21Men poured out
00:40:22from behind broken containers,
00:40:24rusted machines,
00:40:25and collapsed walls.
00:40:27Black guns were raised
00:40:28all at once.
00:40:29Ambush!
00:40:32One of my guards shouted.
00:40:34Gunfire exploded
00:40:35through the factory.
00:40:36Bullets shattered windows
00:40:38and ripped through
00:40:38steel pillars.
00:40:39My men immediately
00:40:41returned fire,
00:40:42forcing the first wave back.
00:40:43But more kept coming.
00:40:45Far more than we had expected.
00:40:47They're surrounding us!
00:40:48Another burst of gunfire
00:40:49echoed through the warehouse.
00:40:51One by one,
00:40:53my guards were forced
00:40:54behind cover.
00:40:55Our ammunition dwindled.
00:40:56The circle around us
00:40:58grew smaller.
00:40:59I fired my last round
00:41:00before the slide
00:41:01locked back
00:41:02with a sharp click.
00:41:03Empty.
00:41:04A man rushed forward
00:41:05and knocked the pistol
00:41:06from my hand.
00:41:08Several others seized my arms
00:41:09before I could reach
00:41:10for the knife at my waist.
00:41:12Cold restraints
00:41:13tightened around my wrists.
00:41:14Bianca emerged from the dust,
00:41:16grinning menacingly.
00:41:17The Don's daughter?
00:41:19So what?
00:41:21You've lost me again.
00:41:23She gripped my chin tightly,
00:41:25her eyes blazing with fury.
00:41:28I jerked my head sharply,
00:41:30throwing her hand away.
00:41:31A cold smile
00:41:32tugged at the corner
00:41:33of my lips.
00:41:33Is that what you think?
00:41:34I looked straight
00:41:35into her eyes.
00:41:36The one who loses
00:41:37will never be me.
00:41:39As you said,
00:41:40I'm the daughter
00:41:41of a Mafia Don.
00:41:43My husband is the heir
00:41:44to an even stronger family.
00:41:47As for Marco,
00:41:48I let out a quiet scoff.
00:41:50He's nothing more
00:41:51than trash I threw away.
00:41:53My gaze slowly swept over her.
00:41:56But what's even more pathetic
00:41:58is that even the trash
00:42:00I didn't want,
00:42:02you still couldn't pick up.
00:42:05Bianca froze.
00:42:06The next second,
00:42:07rage twisted her face.
00:42:09You bitch!
00:42:10A slap never landed.
00:42:11A large hand shot
00:42:12out of the darkness
00:42:13and caught her wrist effortlessly.
00:42:15She was flung aside
00:42:16as though she weighed nothing,
00:42:18crashed onto the concrete floor.
00:42:20The entire warehouse
00:42:21fell silent.
00:42:22Heavy footsteps echoed
00:42:24through the shadows.
00:42:25The man emerged
00:42:25from the darkness.
00:42:26He wore a tailored black suit
00:42:28beneath a long charcoal coat.
00:42:30Silver streaks
00:42:31touched his temples,
00:42:32but they only sharpened
00:42:34the authority
00:42:34in his cold features.
00:42:36His eyes settled on me
00:42:37with open admiration.
00:42:38A faint smile
00:42:39crossed his lips.
00:42:40The old Ferroni's daughter?
00:42:42Great.
00:42:43I am Tom Marotti.
00:42:45Glad to see you.
00:42:47Tom Moretti's eyes
00:42:49lingered on me,
00:42:50amused.
00:42:51I did not flinch,
00:42:52then smiled.
00:42:53Is this how the Moretti family
00:42:55welcomes guests?
00:42:56Something flickered
00:42:57across his face.
00:42:58Not anger,
00:42:59interest.
00:43:00He raised two fingers.
00:43:02The men behind me
00:43:03loosened the cords
00:43:04at once.
00:43:05I glanced
00:43:05toward my own guards,
00:43:06still pinned
00:43:07against the wall,
00:43:08guns pressed
00:43:09to their temples.
00:43:10Tom's small nod.
00:43:11His men lowered
00:43:12their weapons,
00:43:13then let go.
00:43:14Bianca scrambled up
00:43:15from the concrete,
00:43:16dust streaked
00:43:16across her face,
00:43:17and hurried toward him
00:43:19like a dog.
00:43:19Mr. Moretti,
00:43:21what you promised me.
00:43:22The house on the west coast
00:43:23is already arranged.
00:43:25Her eyes lit up.
00:43:27Thank you,
00:43:28thank you so much.
00:43:29Then she turned,
00:43:30eyes filled vicious.
00:43:31As for Serafina,
00:43:33don't worry, sir.
00:43:34She was nothing
00:43:35but a shameless woman
00:43:36chasing after Marco.
00:43:37I did not answer her.
00:43:38I looked past her,
00:43:40straight at Tom.
00:43:41Is this your partner?
00:43:42Tom laughed,
00:43:43low and unhurried.
00:43:45She doesn't deserve
00:43:46that title.
00:43:48I only want to work
00:43:49with you.
00:43:50And if I refuse?
00:43:52I'm not.
00:43:53Then you die here!
00:43:56I smiled at Tom.
00:43:58Let us go.
00:43:59There's still time.
00:44:01If you don't,
00:44:02you'll regret it,
00:44:02Mr. Moretti.
00:44:04Tom's expression changed,
00:44:05the smile draining
00:44:06from his face.
00:44:07Then it returned,
00:44:09colder this time.
00:44:11Honey,
00:44:11you're too naive.
00:44:12In a situation like this,
00:44:14you have no room
00:44:15to negotiate.
00:44:16You have no choice
00:44:17but to accept my offer.
00:44:20And if I told you
00:44:21my husband is coming for me?
00:44:22A flicker of hesitation
00:44:24crossed Tom's face.
00:44:25Bianca cut in at once.
00:44:27Impossible!
00:44:28She came here
00:44:28to meet Marco in secret.
00:44:30She'd never let
00:44:31her husband find out.
00:44:33She chased Marco
00:44:34for seven years.
00:44:36How could she let go
00:44:37of him so easily?
00:44:38Tom's gaze swung
00:44:39between us,
00:44:40uncertain.
00:44:41I let out a cold laugh.
00:44:42Marco?
00:44:43He's nothing but a dog
00:44:44I once kept.
00:44:46Everything he has,
00:44:47I gave him.
00:44:48And I can take it all back
00:44:50just as easily.
00:44:51I hope you won't
00:44:51let yourself be misled
00:44:53into a mistake,
00:44:53Mr. Moretzi.
00:44:54Something in Tom's
00:44:55expression loosened.
00:44:57He did not want
00:44:58to make enemies
00:44:59of two families at once.
00:45:00But Bianca spoke again.
00:45:02Even if she's telling
00:45:03the truth,
00:45:03so what?
00:45:04We kill her now
00:45:06and everything
00:45:07falls to Marco.
00:45:08Only Don.
00:45:10He and I will make you
00:45:11the only Don
00:45:11we ever answer to.
00:45:12A flash of cruelty
00:45:14crossed Tom's eyes.
00:45:15He raised his gun
00:45:17toward me
00:45:17and pulled the trigger.
00:45:18In that instant,
00:45:19one of my guards
00:45:20threw himself over me,
00:45:22knocking me to the ground.
00:45:23Chaos broke out again,
00:45:25gunfire tearing
00:45:26through the warehouse.
00:45:28Before he could aim
00:45:29at me a second time,
00:45:30outside,
00:45:31the roar of engines
00:45:32rose through the harbor air.
00:45:34The warehouse gate
00:45:35was torn open,
00:45:36the massive steel frame
00:45:38bending inward,
00:45:39ripped from its hinges
00:45:40with a shriek of metal.
00:45:42Dust rolled through
00:45:43the opening
00:45:43like a thick gray wave.
00:45:45A figure stepped out of it,
00:45:47coat catching the wind
00:45:49behind him.
00:45:50It's Nico.
00:45:51Tom stood there,
00:45:52stunned for a second,
00:45:53then raised his hands
00:45:55in surrender
00:45:55and gave a self-deprecating laugh.
00:45:58Bianca was completely dumbfounded.
00:46:02Tom looked past me
00:46:03at the men crowding
00:46:05the shattered gate.
00:46:06Hundred of them.
00:46:07Guns already raised.
00:46:10Nico's men
00:46:10filling every exit.
00:46:12He let out a short breath.
00:46:15Well,
00:46:16that settles that.
00:46:18He turned to leave
00:46:19and grabbed Bianca
00:46:20by the arm
00:46:21and shoved her toward me.
00:46:24Little gift,
00:46:25she's yours now.
00:46:26Bianca hit the ground
00:46:27at my feet.
00:46:28For a moment,
00:46:29she just stared
00:46:30at the men surrounding her,
00:46:31at Tom's retreating back,
00:46:33at the gun
00:46:34still smoking in the dirt.
00:46:36Then it hit her.
00:46:37No one was coming
00:46:38to save her this time.
00:46:40She scrambled forward
00:46:41on her knees,
00:46:42grabbing at the hem
00:46:43of my coat.
00:46:48Serafina, please.
00:46:50I didn't mean it.
00:46:51I was scared.
00:46:53Please.
00:46:53I did not look down at her.
00:46:55Nico crossed the floor
00:46:56in three long strides
00:46:58and pulled me
00:46:58into his arms,
00:47:00hands running
00:47:01over my shoulders,
00:47:01my arms,
00:47:03checking for blood.
00:47:04Are you hurt?
00:47:05Tell me the truth.
00:47:06I shook my head.
00:47:08I'm fine.
00:47:11Before I left the estate,
00:47:12I had told him
00:47:13half an hour.
00:47:15If he didn't hear
00:47:15from me by then,
00:47:17come.
00:47:17I never told him
00:47:18where I was really going
00:47:20or why.
00:47:21Not because I didn't trust him.
00:47:23Because this fight
00:47:24was not his to carry.
00:47:26Marco's betrayal.
00:47:28The capos who had turned.
00:47:30The rot inside my own family.
00:47:32If I ever wanted
00:47:33to sit in Papa's chair
00:47:34and have men
00:47:35actually kneel for it,
00:47:37I could not let my husband
00:47:38clean up my house for me.
00:47:40A Don who needed saving
00:47:42every time
00:47:43would never be a Don at all.
00:47:45Nico held my face
00:47:46in both hands
00:47:46for a moment,
00:47:47studying me
00:47:48like he was making sure
00:47:49I was really there.
00:47:51Then his eyes
00:47:51moved past me
00:47:52to Bianca
00:47:53still sobbing on the ground.
00:47:55His expression
00:47:56went cold.
00:47:57This one.
00:47:58If I let her go,
00:48:00I'll be a failed husband.
00:48:02Unable to protect his wife.
00:48:04He looked at his men
00:48:05and shouted,
00:48:06How should the mafia
00:48:07treat traitors?
00:48:09She stuffs them in sacks
00:48:10and throws them
00:48:12into the river,
00:48:13letting God decide
00:48:14whether such traitors
00:48:15deserve to live.
00:48:16But everyone knows
00:48:17that no one can live
00:48:18under such circumstances.
00:48:21Night, we curled up together
00:48:23on the sofa,
00:48:24talking about old things.
00:48:25His years in Boston,
00:48:27my childhood tantrums,
00:48:28the guards he used to bring
00:48:29just to walk me home.
00:48:31The fire crackled low
00:48:32in the hearth.
00:48:33Just before midnight,
00:48:34the clock in the hall
00:48:34began to chime.
00:48:36Nico stood,
00:48:36pulling me up by the hand,
00:48:38leading me to the window.
00:48:40Come here.
00:48:43This is my wedding gift to you.
00:48:45The sky over the harbor
00:48:46split open
00:48:47in brilliant blue light,
00:48:49fireworks blooming
00:48:50one after another
00:48:51against the dark water.
00:48:53For a moment,
00:48:54I only felt the wonder of it.
00:48:56Then the feeling curdled
00:48:57into something else.
00:48:58Blue fireworks.
00:49:00Every family on this coast
00:49:01used them for one thing only,
00:49:03to announce a victory,
00:49:05a kill,
00:49:06a war won.
00:49:07I turned to look at him.
00:49:09Nico,
00:49:10what did you do?
00:49:11He only smiled,
00:49:13tucking a strand of hair
00:49:14behind my ear.
00:49:15You'll know tomorrow,
00:49:16but right now...
00:49:18His eyes dropped to my lips.
00:49:19Don't you think
00:49:20you owe me a gift too?
00:49:22I laughed softly.
00:49:24I didn't prepare anything.
00:49:25He leaned down,
00:49:26his mouth brushing
00:49:27the shell of my ear,
00:49:28voice low.
00:49:30You're the only gift I want.
00:49:32Sunlight fell across my face,
00:49:34warm and unhurried.
00:49:35When I finally opened my eyes,
00:49:37the light had shifted too far.
00:49:39Almost noon,
00:49:40I remembered.
00:49:41Nico had said
00:49:41there was something
00:49:42to deal with today.
00:49:43I pushed myself up
00:49:44and every muscle in my body
00:49:46ached in protest.
00:49:47The door opened.
00:49:49Nico stepped in,
00:49:50already dressed,
00:49:51a cup of coffee in hand.
00:49:52Why didn't you wake me earlier?
00:49:53He set the cup down
00:49:55and sat on the edge of the bed.
00:49:56You used up too much energy
00:49:57last night.
00:49:58If I'd taken your sleep too,
00:50:01I'd be no better than the devil.
00:50:03Heat rushed to my face.
00:50:05Pieces of the night
00:50:06came back to me.
00:50:07Nico carried me
00:50:08into the bathroom,
00:50:09gently undressed me,
00:50:11and then transformed
00:50:11into a tireless beast.
00:50:13The bathroom,
00:50:14the carpet,
00:50:15the balcony,
00:50:16the bed.
00:50:17By the end,
00:50:18I hadn't even had the strength
00:50:19left to make a sound.
00:50:20He watched me flush
00:50:22and laughed softly,
00:50:24ruffling my hair.
00:50:25I found Marco last night.
00:50:26The family tribunal
00:50:27starts in half an hour.
00:50:29How did you?
00:50:30I asked.
00:50:30As I say,
00:50:31just a gift.
00:50:33We walked together
00:50:34to the tribunal doors.
00:50:36Nico fell half a step
00:50:37behind me.
00:50:38I turned back
00:50:39to look at him.
00:50:40Go on ahead,
00:50:41my princess.
00:50:42I'll always be the knight
00:50:43guarding your back.
00:50:44The doors opened.
00:50:45Inside,
00:50:46the first thing I saw
00:50:47was Marco,
00:50:48the man who had vanished
00:50:49after my wedding night,
00:50:50now sitting rigid
00:50:52at the long table.
00:50:53A woman beside him
00:50:54with a sack
00:50:55pulled over her head.
00:50:56He shot to his feet
00:50:57the moment he saw me,
00:50:59something wild in his eyes.
00:51:00I didn't look at him.
00:51:01Because past him,
00:51:03in the chair by the window,
00:51:04sat Nono,
00:51:05my throat closed.
00:51:06My eyes filled
00:51:08before I could stop them.
00:51:09I crossed the room
00:51:10and dropped to my knees
00:51:11beside his chair.
00:51:12He reached out
00:51:13and patted my head,
00:51:14laughing softly.
00:51:16My little cookie,
00:51:18all grown up.
00:51:19Now Nono can finally
00:51:20rest easy.
00:51:21Nico's arms came around me
00:51:23from behind,
00:51:23his voice low
00:51:25against my ear.
00:51:26I found the heart he needed.
00:51:27The surgery went well.
00:51:29I turned and looked at him,
00:51:31my eyes brimming
00:51:32with something
00:51:32too full to name.
00:51:34He only kissed
00:51:34the tip of my nose,
00:51:36indulgent.
00:51:37Silly girl.
00:51:38Let's take care
00:51:39of business first.
00:51:40He nodded to his men.
00:51:41The sack was torn
00:51:42from the woman's head
00:51:43beside Marco.
00:51:44It was Bianca.
00:51:46Nico stepped forward,
00:51:48addressing the room.
00:51:49Last night,
00:51:50when I gave the order
00:51:50for Bianca disposal,
00:51:52I had men waiting
00:51:53along the riverbank.
00:51:54As expected,
00:51:56someone came to save her.
00:51:58He nodded
00:51:58toward the doors,
00:51:59Marco.
00:52:00He turned to the guards.
00:52:01More than a dozen men
00:52:02were marched in,
00:52:03hands bound,
00:52:04heads down.
00:52:05Nico pointed at them
00:52:06one by one.
00:52:07These are Marco's men,
00:52:09his informants
00:52:09inside our own house.
00:52:10We've already confessed
00:52:11everything,
00:52:12including his dealings
00:52:13with the Moretti family.
00:52:13He gave a single nod
00:52:15toward the screen behind him.
00:52:16The footage began to play.
00:52:18Marco's face,
00:52:19lit by a phone screen,
00:52:20speaking to Tom Moretti
00:52:22in a dim room,
00:52:23his voice clear,
00:52:24offering the Ferraro territory
00:52:25in exchange for help.
00:52:27Color drained from Marco's face
00:52:28as he watched himself
00:52:30on the screen.
00:52:30He opened his mouth.
00:52:32No words came.
00:52:33One by one,
00:52:34the ten capos
00:52:35at the long table rose.
00:52:36Their verdict came
00:52:37without hesitation.
00:52:38Marco Valatti
00:52:39is banished from Sicily,
00:52:40permanently.
00:52:42If he ever set foot
00:52:43on this land again,
00:52:44he will be treated
00:52:45as an enemy
00:52:46of every family present.
00:52:49Three years passed
00:52:50like a single held breath.
00:52:52I became the new dawn
00:52:53of the Ferraro family.
00:52:54Nico stood beside me
00:52:55through every vote,
00:52:56every threat,
00:52:57every sleepless night.
00:52:58We built a life
00:52:59neither of us
00:53:00thought we'd earn.
00:53:01The morning of our son's
00:53:02first birthday,
00:53:03the crowd near the gate
00:53:04went suddenly,
00:53:05strangely quiet.
00:53:06I turned.
00:53:07A sexy woman
00:53:08I did not recognize
00:53:09stood at the edge
00:53:10of the garden.
00:53:11I heard the shot
00:53:11before I understood it.
00:53:13Then the pain came,
00:53:14blooming hot and sudden
00:53:15through my side,
00:53:16and the world
00:53:17tilted sideways.
00:53:18My son's laughter
00:53:19was the last clear sound
00:53:21I held onto.
00:53:22Then Nico's voice,
00:53:23breaking apart above me.
00:53:25Serafina,
00:53:25look at me.
00:53:26Stay with me.
00:53:27This is my fault.
00:53:28All of it.
00:53:29I did this to you.
00:53:30His hands pressed hard
00:53:31against the wound,
00:53:33shaking,
00:53:33red spreading
00:53:34between his fingers
00:53:35no matter how tightly
00:53:36he held on.
00:53:37I tried to lift my hand
00:53:38to his face.
00:53:39It barely moved.
00:53:40The garden blurred.
00:53:41Voices scattered into noise.
00:53:43I looked up at him,
00:53:44but I could not tell him
00:53:45it would be alright.
00:53:46Then the doors
00:53:47of the emergency room
00:53:48swallowed the light,
00:53:49and his face was gone.
00:53:51Nico stood on the hospital's rooftop,
00:53:54coat torn,
00:53:55blood dried dark
00:53:56along his forearms,
00:53:57still not quite steady
00:53:58on his feet.
00:53:59Elena waited by the railing,
00:54:00radiant in a way.
00:54:01Her eyes carried something
00:54:02close to delight,
00:54:04like she'd been waiting
00:54:05for this moment for years.
00:54:06I heard some woman
00:54:07had you tied down.
00:54:08I came all this way
00:54:09to save you from her.
00:54:11She tilted her head,
00:54:12smiling,
00:54:13unbothered by the silence
00:54:14that followed.
00:54:14Don't I even get a thank you?
00:54:16Nico crossed the distance
00:54:17in two strides
00:54:18and closed his hand
00:54:19around her throat.
00:54:20She didn't flinch.
00:54:21If anything,
00:54:22she laughed,
00:54:23low and amused.
00:54:24You didn't say thank you
00:54:25like this before, Nico.
00:54:27He shoved her back
00:54:28against the railing,
00:54:29chest heaving,
00:54:30eyes bloodshot,
00:54:31a vein straining hard
00:54:32at his temple.
00:54:33When he spoke,
00:54:34every word came out separately,
00:54:36forced through his teeth
00:54:37like it cost him
00:54:38something to say them.
00:54:39She is my wife.
00:54:43The mother of my child.
00:54:46How dare you?
00:54:53Elena laughed.
00:54:54Then her face went dark.
00:54:56She pulled a pistol
00:54:57from the holster
00:54:57strapped to her thigh
00:54:58and pressed it
00:54:59under Nico's chin,
00:55:00the metal cold
00:55:01against his skin.
00:55:02Tell me again
00:55:03how you turned me down.
00:55:05You said you'd never
00:55:06walk into marriage,
00:55:07not for anyone.
00:55:08Nico moved his face
00:55:10away for the gun.
00:55:11That's true,
00:55:12but I thought Serafina
00:55:13was about to marry
00:55:14someone else.
00:55:15In the end,
00:55:16I got her anyway.
00:55:17She's the one thing
00:55:18God ever gave me
00:55:19that I didn't have to
00:55:19fight my own family for.
00:55:21And you,
00:55:22you only want to
00:55:23burn it down.
00:55:24Elena shrugged,
00:55:25unbothered.
00:55:27Relax.
00:55:29She won't die.
00:55:32I've never heard
00:55:33a mother in my life.
00:55:34For a moment,
00:55:35something shifted
00:55:36in Nico's eyes.
00:55:37Then she stepped back,
00:55:38already turning
00:55:39toward the railing.
00:55:40A grappling line
00:55:41shot out toward
00:55:42the rooftop
00:55:43of the building
00:55:43across the street.
00:55:45She caught it
00:55:45in one hand,
00:55:46glancing back at him
00:55:48one last time.
00:55:48Welcome to revenge,
00:55:49dear.
00:55:50She jumped.
00:55:54Nico stood there
00:55:55a moment after
00:55:55she vanished,
00:55:56rubbing his temple,
00:55:57then turned and
00:55:58walked back toward
00:55:59the ward.
00:55:59I was already stable
00:56:00when he came in.
00:56:01The moment he saw me awake,
00:56:03his eyes filled.
00:56:04The doctor said,
00:56:05just flesh wound,
00:56:06nothing vital.
00:56:07Once they pulled
00:56:08the bullet out,
00:56:08there would be nothing
00:56:09left to fear.
00:56:10I watched him standing there.
00:56:11How long were you
00:56:12planning to lie to me,
00:56:13Nico?
00:56:14He let out a breath
00:56:14and said nothing.
00:56:15I nodded toward
00:56:16the bassinet by the window.
00:56:18I need the truth.
00:56:19He looked at me
00:56:20for a long moment,
00:56:21then sat down heavily
00:56:22at the edge of the bed.
00:56:24Fifteen years ago,
00:56:25I pulled her out of the water.
00:56:27Elena was half-drowned,
00:56:29covered in bruises,
00:56:30barely conscious.
00:56:32His voice was flat,
00:56:33worn thin by the memory.
00:56:34Her father's mistress
00:56:35killed her mother.
00:56:36Elena saw it happen.
00:56:38They tried to drown her
00:56:39afterward to keep her quiet.
00:56:41I found her by accident,
00:56:43saved her hurt.
00:56:44After that,
00:56:45she decided I belonged to her,
00:56:48that I'd help her
00:56:49take her father's empire back.
00:56:50I said no.
00:56:51Then I went back to Sicily,
00:56:52thinking it was all over.
00:56:53I'm sorry,
00:56:54I didn't realize
00:56:54you would be hurt by it.
00:56:58So why is Elena back now?
00:56:59Nico shook his head.
00:57:01I don't know.
00:57:03She's never followed
00:57:04anyone's rules but her own,
00:57:05and no one can predict
00:57:06which way she'll turn next.
00:57:08He tightened his grip
00:57:09on my hand,
00:57:09quick to add,
00:57:10There was never anything
00:57:11between us.
00:57:12I never touched her
00:57:13or drug business.
00:57:14I don't deal in
00:57:15what her family sells.
00:57:17Once she recovered,
00:57:18I gave her enough money
00:57:19to disappear and live safely.
00:57:21That was the end of it.
00:57:22Or I thought it was.
00:57:24Two weeks ago,
00:57:25I got an anonymous message.
00:57:27Someone wanting
00:57:27to discuss the baby's name.
00:57:29At first,
00:57:30I thought it was you,
00:57:31playing some game.
00:57:32Then I realized
00:57:33who it really was.
00:57:34I started watching my back.
00:57:35I didn't think
00:57:36she'd actually come today.
00:57:37He lifted my hand,
00:57:38pressing it between
00:57:39both of his.
00:57:40You won't be hurt again.
00:57:42She swore once
00:57:43that she'd never
00:57:44let a mother die
00:57:45in front of her.
00:57:46I let out a tired laugh,
00:57:47gesturing at the bandage
00:57:49taped along my side.
00:57:50So this is her warning.
00:57:53We're fucked with you first.
00:57:56Nico leaned down
00:57:57and pressed his lips
00:57:59to my forehead
00:57:59like an apology
00:58:00that had no words
00:58:01attached to it.
00:58:02I'll give you
00:58:03an answer for this.
00:58:03I caught his hand
00:58:04before he left.
00:58:05I think our real enemy
00:58:06just came back.
00:58:08He went still.
00:58:09For a moment,
00:58:10neither of us
00:58:10said anything.
00:58:11Then we spoke
00:58:12at the same time,
00:58:14two names landing
00:58:15on top of each other.
00:58:16Tom.
00:58:17Marco.
00:58:18Marco had vanished
00:58:19the night he was cast out,
00:58:20but I knew better.
00:58:21I remembered his eyes
00:58:22that day.
00:58:23A man like that
00:58:24didn't disappear.
00:58:25Only someone
00:58:26who knew every gate,
00:58:27every guard rotation,
00:58:29every blind corner
00:58:30of our estate
00:58:31could help Elena
00:58:32slip that close
00:58:33to my son's birthday
00:58:34without a single
00:58:35alarm sounding.
00:58:36Only Marco knew
00:58:37our house that well.
00:58:38And only one man
00:58:40had the money
00:58:40and the ambition
00:58:41to turn Marco's grudge
00:58:43into something bigger
00:58:44than revenge,
00:58:45into a war
00:58:45for all of Sicily.
00:58:47Tom Moretti.
00:58:48Nico's jaw tightened
00:58:49as the pieces settled
00:58:50into place,
00:58:51the same conclusion
00:58:52arriving in both of us
00:58:53at once.
00:58:53Then, slowly,
00:58:55he lifted my hand
00:58:56and pressed his mouth
00:58:57to my knuckles.
00:58:58My love,
00:58:59things are about
00:58:59to get interesting.
00:59:02Nico moved first,
00:59:03quiet and methodical.
00:59:05Within a week,
00:59:05three of Tom Moretti's
00:59:06shipping companies
00:59:07had new owners,
00:59:08all of them fronts,
00:59:09all of them ours.
00:59:11The docks,
00:59:11the warehouses,
00:59:12the contracts
00:59:13that once fed
00:59:14the Moretti family's cash,
00:59:15gone.
00:59:16Folded into paperwork
00:59:17bearing names Tom
00:59:18would never trace back
00:59:19fast enough.
00:59:20He came to the estate
00:59:21himself two days later.
00:59:23Nico met him
00:59:23in the study,
00:59:24arms crossed,
00:59:25unhurried.
00:59:26Did you send Marco
00:59:27after my wife?
00:59:28Did you send Elena
00:59:29to finish what he started?
00:59:30Tom's face
00:59:31didn't so much as flicker.
00:59:32I don't know
00:59:32what you're talking about.
00:59:34I have no dealings
00:59:35with either of them.
00:59:36Nico studied him
00:59:36for a long moment,
00:59:38then nodded once,
00:59:39like the answer
00:59:39didn't matter either way.
00:59:41Fine.
00:59:41He gave a small gesture
00:59:42toward the door.
00:59:43Two men stepped in
00:59:44and had Tom's arms
00:59:45pinned behind his back
00:59:47before he could finish
00:59:47reaching for the gun
00:59:48at his waist.
00:59:49Tom hadn't expected that.
00:59:50Not this fast,
00:59:51not this openly.
00:59:52There wasn't.
00:59:53By nightfall,
00:59:54he was zip-tied
00:59:55to a chair
00:59:55in the wine cellar.
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